Eco Trends

world’s first practical artificial leaf that can turn sunlight and water into energy. The two separate teams who have made this accomplishment at the

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) claim the leaf could pave the way for a cheaper source of power in the near future. The artificial leaf is made from silicon, electronics and various catalysts which spur chemical reactions within the device. These reactionscan use sunlight to break water into hydrogen and oxygen which can then be used to create electricity in a separate fuel cell. “A practical artificial leaf has been one of the Holy Grails of science for decades,” says Daniel Nocera, who led one of the teams. “We believe we have done it. And placed in a gallon of water and left in sun, these artificial leaves could provide a home in the developing world with basic electricity for a day.” He added that the two teams envision villages in India and Africa not long from now purchasing an affordable basic power system based on this new technology.

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Eco

This month we have a really special spot on. We are introducing you to Chris Anderson and

his project "1000 Surfboard Graveyard". Read the story of a young Australian artist, trying to raise awareness on the lifecycle of a surfboard; including carbon emissions, non-renewable resource consumption and